UK spouse visa for Ghanaian nationals
What this visa is
The UK Family Visa (Partner route) allows the spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner of a British citizen or person settled in the UK to come and live there long-term. This is a settlement route, not a visitor visa. If approved, the applicant can live and work in the UK for an initial 33 months, with a path to indefinite leave to remain after five years.
This guide covers the process for Ghanaian nationals applying to join a partner who is a British citizen, settled in the UK, or holds refugee or humanitarian protection status.
Who can apply
You can apply if you are:
- Legally married to your sponsor, or in a civil partnership with them
- In an unmarried partnership and can prove you have lived together for at least two years
- Engaged and intending to marry within six months of arriving in the UK (fiancé visa route)
You must be aged 18 or over, your relationship must be genuine and ongoing, and you must have met your sponsor in person.
Who can sponsor
The sponsor must be one of the following:
- A British citizen
- A person with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- A person with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
The sponsor must be living in the UK, or intending to return when you arrive, and must meet the financial requirement.
Financial requirement
The sponsor must demonstrate a minimum gross annual income of £29,000. This threshold was introduced in April 2024. Verify the current figure on GOV.UK before applying.
Employment income, self-employment income, rental income, and pension can all count. Savings above £16,000 can top up income that falls short. The applicant’s own overseas income does not count at the initial application stage.
English language requirement
Ghana is not on the UK’s list of majority English-speaking countries, so Ghanaian nationals are not automatically exempt from the English language requirement. You must demonstrate English at A1 level for the initial visa, rising to A2 on extension and B1 for settlement.
Ways to meet it:
- Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at A1 level: providers include Trinity College London and IELTS SELT Consortium, with approved test centres in Accra
- Holding a degree taught and assessed in English, confirmed by UK ENIC: many Ghanaian universities teach in English and this route is worth exploring
- Being aged 65 or over
Tuberculosis test
Ghana is on the UK’s tuberculosis testing list. You must obtain a TB certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic in Ghana before submitting your application. The certificate is valid for six months from the test date.
Approved clinics operate in Accra. Check GOV.UK for the current list of approved providers.
Accommodation requirement
The sponsor must show that adequate accommodation exists for both parties in the UK without relying on public funds. A tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or landlord letter is the typical supporting evidence.
Documents needed
Sponsor’s documents:
– Passport or travel document confirming British citizenship or settled status
– Six months of payslips and corresponding bank statements
– Employment letter confirming salary, job title, contract type, and length of service
– Evidence of accommodation
Applicant’s documents:
– Current Ghanaian passport
– Marriage certificate: see note below on marriage types
– English language test certificate at A1 level, or evidence of an English-taught degree confirmed by UK ENIC
– Tuberculosis test certificate from an approved clinic in Ghana
– Photographs meeting UK visa requirements
– Evidence of genuine relationship: messages, photographs, evidence of visits, shared commitments
Marriage documentation note: Ghana recognises several forms of marriage: civil, customary, and Islamic. For UK visa purposes, the Home Office requires evidence of a legally recognised marriage. A civil marriage certificate issued by the Registrar General’s Department is the most straightforward evidence. Customary marriages are recognised under Ghanaian law but require proper documentation of the customary rites and, ideally, registration with the Registrar General. If your marriage was customary, gather as much formal documentation as possible, and consider taking legal advice on how to present it.
Both parties:
– Evidence of having met in person
– If either party was previously married, a divorce certificate or death certificate ending that marriage
All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
How to apply
The application is submitted online through the UK government’s visa application service. The applicant then attends a Visa Application Centre (VAC) appointment in Ghana to provide biometrics. VAC appointments are available in Accra.
Costs and processing times
Visa application fee: £2,064
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £3,105 for the initial 33-month visa: paid upfront
Total before additional costs: approximately £5,169. Additional costs include the TB test, English language test, document translation, and legal fees if using a solicitor.
Processing time: Up to 12 weeks from the date of your biometric appointment. A priority service is sometimes available, targeting 30 working days.
After approval: what comes next
Your visa is issued as an eVisa. You receive a 30-day entry vignette and must travel to the UK within that window. In the UK you have 33 months with the right to live and work, then extend for a further 30 months before applying for indefinite leave to remain after five years.
FAQs
Is a customary marriage recognised for a UK spouse visa?
Customary marriages are recognised under Ghanaian law and can be accepted by the Home Office, but the documentation requirements are more demanding than for a civil marriage. You will need to demonstrate that the customary rites took place and that the marriage is legally valid. Registration of the customary marriage with the Registrar General’s Department strengthens the application considerably. Legal advice is recommended if your marriage is customary.
Does my Ghanaian degree count toward the English language requirement?
Possibly. If your degree was taught and assessed in English and is recognised by UK ENIC, it may satisfy the English language requirement without a separate test. Check with UK ENIC before booking a language test.
Can the sponsor use savings to meet the financial requirement?
Yes: savings above £16,000 can supplement income that falls short of £29,000. The required savings amount depends on how far short the income falls. A solicitor can help calculate whether your figures qualify.
Can I work in the UK on a spouse visa?
Yes; there are no work restrictions on the spouse visa.
Can my children come with me?
Yes. Dependent children under 18 can be included or apply separately. Each pays the visa fee and healthcare surcharge separately.